My Last Duchess Essay

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Recommended: Behaviour of jealousy

They say true love only comes around once and one has to hold out and be strong until then. If such a time comes, how does one make sure their love lasts? The ideas of jealousy, guilt and trust all play major key roles through love and companionship with one another. But when one is betrayed, some seek out revenge. Back in the early 1500’s, revenge was seen by torture and or execution for such acts committed against a spouse. However, with such a dramatic change in the way we love today, revenge has taken on a whole new meaning. Therefore, looking into Robert Browning’s “My Last Duchess”, we see the speaker, also known as the Duke of Ferrara, tell the story of his last Duchess to the servant. We receive an in depth view of jealousy and the unfortunate consequences through the speakers calm unseen controlling and angry attitude towards the last Duchess.
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While telling the story of his last Duchess to the servant, the amount of anger the Duke has, pours out through his interaction. The Duchess on her “white mule / [s]he rode with round the terrace” is resembled as a very disloyal and trifling woman after her actions against the Duke (Line 28-29). After her behaviors, the Duke gives the auditor the idea he has little remorse for anyone who turns against him. Claiming to the auditor “[s]he had / [a] heart-how shall I say?-too soon made glad” shows how much hatred and disgust the Duke built up for the Duchess (Line 21-22). The previous quote gives the auditor a feeling of how calm the speaker can be, yet deep inside he has bubbled up resentment from her actions. Furthermore, the idea of anger in anyone’s mind after an incident like such is normal, but when looking into the conversation of the speaker, the anger he possesses is overwhelming considering the miniscule act

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